Beware DR red devils

[robinc]

About two weeks ago I ordered a set of DR Red Devils (V string set, .045-.125)  through SamAsh.com. I was pleased with the speedy delivery and the well packed box, but upon opening the package of strings I was surprised to see two of the bright red strings I had been expecting (the low B and the D) and three darker red, almost purple, strings.
 
Ok, no big deal, I won the lucky miss-matched set. I called up SamAsh and they covered the shipping expenses for returning the first set and re-shipping me a fresh set. Yesterday the second set arrived. I opened up the box (sealed at the DR factory, presumably) and was dismayed to see the EXACT same combination of brighter and deeper colored strings. I checked the DR website and noticed that while the bright red strings are, as far as I can tell, the right color, the deeper red strings are not even shown as an option (they are somewhere between the red devils and the purple strings DR offers).
 
I called SamAsh again but as they have not yet received the first set that I returned there isn't much they can do for me at this point. I'm thinking its a problem with the manufacturer. I have no idea how long this particular batch of Red Devils has been in circulation, so heads up to anyone thinking about ordering them. I wouldn't be surprised if a factory recall is on the horizon.

[dannobasso]

The factory is very small and is in Emerson NJ. They are very nice there and if you call them directly or email, I'm sure they will try to make things right.

[robinc]

I was planning on calling them tomorrow. I'm sure they will do whatever they can as well. I'll let you all know what I find out, maybe this is a problem they are already aware of and are in the process of responding to.

[flaxattack]

whats the difference
the strings work......

[hydrargyrum]

I know if I payed extra for fancy looking strings, I would probably want them to match.  
 
I might look into some of those Black Beauties in the future.  Any guitarists care to share their opinion?

[robinc]

Just to follow up:
 
I spoke to someone from DR today and they explained to me that just about every company offering anodized strings gets the wire from the same manufacturer. This manufacturer has poor quality control and a monopoly on the market, resulting in slight (but definitely noticeable) color discrepancies between the gauges. He went on to say that not all colors are affected equally; black is almost always uniform in color. In fact, he said that the reds are affected more often than any other colored strings. So I say again, beware Red Devils.

[olieoliver]

My question is how do they sound? If they sound better than other strings I wouldn't pay too much attention to the color. Then again if you bought them for the color this would be an issue.
 
I remember buying some copper (coated I think) strings back in the late 70's early 80's. I believe Daddario was the brand. They sounded awesome, made my bass sound like a hybrid Bass-Piano. 2 reasons I stopped using them, 1 they turned my fingers all kinds of nasty colors, and 2 (the main reason) they went dead in about 2 weeks.
 
If you ain't happy with 'em, send 'em back.  
 
OO

[flaxattack]

if they are telling you they have no control over the manufacture of the strings, thats a head sup
i was formerly in the metals business. black anodizes better because of its reaction to the base metal. Keep in mind that anodizing is a chemical etch on the string. if the reds are varying its because of the chemical makeup of the strings- they are in spec chemistry wise but the variations in one or two elements is probably causing the issue. there is no difference is sound between colors.  
just tell anyone asking you get your strings custom made... lol
if they sound good - use em- if not - move on